Paula L. Peaden
Ms. Peaden practices in the areas of Trust and Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates Administration, Elder Law, Long Term Care & Disability Planning, Special Needs Trusts, and Guardianships. She was named the Best Elder Care Lawyer in Richmond in the 2014 edition of Best Lawyers in America® . Her knowledge and professionalism are evidenced by a number of other accolades, including her appointment to the 2013 Class of Leaders in the Law, Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estate, Virginia Super Lawyers for Trusts and Estates and Elder Law, Five Star Wealth Management Professionals, and AV-rated Martindale Hubbell Preeminent Women Lawyers.
Ms. Peaden was born in Northern New Jersey and began her professional career as a registered nurse after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Mount St. Mary’s College. She received her legal education from George Mason University. She enjoys lecturing and writing on topics related to her estate planning and elder law practice.
Client testimonials for Ms. Peaden
Education
- George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia
- J.D. – 1989
- Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, New York
- Bachelor of Science
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Virginia Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Chair
Virginia Bar Association, Business and Health Section, 1989 – Present
Special Needs Alliance, Member
Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA)
Speaking Engagements
- Powers of Attorney, Wills & Medicaid Planning, University of Richmond Elder Law Support Group (January, 2014)
- Legal and Financial Planning for Caregivers, Alzheimer’s Association (January, 2014)
- Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning, Regional Case Management Meeting, Hanover Community Services (April, 2012)
- Estate Planning and Elder Law, The Crossings at Bon Air (March, 2012)
- Estate Planning for Seniors, Trinity Lutheran Church (March, 2012)
- Advance Medical Directives, Life Caregiving Modern Aging event (October, 2011)
- Special Needs Trusts, Hanover High School Parent Resource Center (April 2010 and 2011)
- Estate Planning and Elder Law, Richmond Chapter Alzheimer’s Association (March, 2011)
- Powers of Attorney, St. Mary’s Hospital (March, 2011)
- Disability Planning, Elmcroft Assisted Living and Memory Care Center (November, 2010)
- Seminar Panelist, Virginia Elder Rights Coalition (June, 2010)
- Estate Planning, Autumn Run Clubhouse ( June, 2010)
- Know Your Rights Seminar, Senior Citizens Law Day, in cooperation with the Virginia State Bar, Senior
- Lawyers Conference and Richmond Triad, held at the First Baptist Church of Richmond (January 2010)
- Advance Medical Directives, Virginia Bar Association’s Annual Winter Meeting (January, 2010)
Conference Attendance
Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami (January, 2014)
Special Needs Trusts, Stetson Law (October, 2013)
Special Needs Alliance Conference (March, 2012)
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Conference, Virginia chapter, (February, 2011, 2012)
Special Needs Trusts National Conference (October, 2010)
Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA) Annual Conference (June, 2010)
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) (May, 2010)
Fraternities/Sororities
Phi Delta Phi
Areas of Practice
- Elder Law
- Guardianship & Conservatorship
- Long Term Care & Disability Planning
- Trust & Estate Administration
- Wills & Estate Planning
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1989
Honors and Awards
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2013 -2014
- Named Best Lawyer’s 2014 Richmond Elder Law Attorney of the Year
- Named Virginia Super Lawyers, 2007-2014
- Listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
- Five Star Wealth Management Professional
- American Jurisprudence Award, Employment Discrimination
“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your wisdom, “level-headedness”, experience, guidance, and talents as you have helped me navigate through some very tough times in the past year. I appreciate your objective thoughts and your ability to communicate with me in such a way that I feel that I have made the best and fairest decisions for my father and my family. It has not been easy. I am thankful for your patience and your help.” -E
Richmond, Virginia 23230
